News

18.03.2013

South East Europe 2020 growth strategy in focus of regional meeting, to be held in Sarajevo tomorrow, under RCC auspices

SARAJEVO, 18 March 2013 – Development of the South East Europe
(SEE) 2020 regional growth strategy and its implementation will be the
main topics of the 12th South East Europe Investment Committee (SEEIC)
Meeting, which will be held in Sarajevo tomorrow.

The SEE 2020 targets that the region needs to reach by 2020 include:
regional GDP increase from 38% to 46% of EU average; total value of
regional trade increase by 130%; and the trade deficit decrease from
14.1 to 11.6% of the regional GDP. The targets were adopted by the SEE
ministers of economy in November 2012 to guide the strategy preparation.
The SEE 2020 strategy is to be finalized by the end of 2013.

The strategy is expected to provide for growth in trade and export
rates; higher level of direct foreign investments; higher number of
registered new businesses; increased employment with higher salary
rates; and for an increase in the number of highly educated workforce.
It also aims to improve public administration, strengthen the rule of
law, and improve government efficiency.

The event is co-organized by the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina
and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat, as co-chairs of
the SEEIC. It will be held back-to-back with the CEFTA (Central
European Free Trade Agreement) 2006 deputy ministerial meeting.

The SEEIC and the CEFTA cooperate closely on SEE 2020 strategy
aspects that aim to increase the intra-regional trade and inflow of
foreign investments. Discussion on their forthcoming mutual activities
in this area will also take place during the meeting.

The 12th SEEIC meeting will bring together SEEIC
participants, Western Balkans economic teams, representatives of the
European Commission, regional partners and initiatives, international
organizations, and the donor community.

Journalists are invited to attend the opening of the meeting,
on Tuesday, 19 March 2013, at 14.00, at the UNITIC building, Fra Anđela
Zvizdovića 1, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.